Ravelston House

We paid £150 for one night in a Deluxe Room, and it was dirty, dusty and mouldy, with an awful amount of space. Both lampshades had dust and mould, and the shower sealant was black with mould. It needs redoing. There were only bath towels and no hand towels, which is ridiculous. The windows opened fully with no child locks, which felt dangerous. We’d already had an issue with this 'House', and this stay was paid for twice because we had other guests. We’d specifically requested a twin room, but found two single beds pushed together. Staff made us feel like fixing it was a burden, then came to change it later in the night before we got back. I don’t know how they arrive at these prices. It certainly isn’t a hotel. I’ve stayed in cheaper, nicer, more spacious rooms in the middle of town. A 3 star hotel shouldn’t mean poor cleanliness, and I’d avoid paying for a room this size that isn’t kept to hotel standards.

The disco was fun, and I can’t fault the lovely staff, but I wouldn’t return for another Christmas night out or meal. We had a nice evening with my work group, though I know they were disappointed too. I didn’t stay overnight, so can’t comment on the rooms. For £40, the two-course dinner was a letdown: a lump of chewy turkey, a spoonful of hard carrot and parsnip discs, two dry roast potatoes and one pig in a blanket. Nobody ate the very tart apple crumble, and there wasn’t even a cracker on the table. I missed my free glass of bubbly, but they brought one when I asked. Not impressed with the food.

The high tea was a disaster, and we left saying we’d never return. The sandwiches were awful, made with cheap bread and barely any filling. The cake and biscuits had been cut into triangles and were falling apart, and the scones were hard enough to use as doorstops. We went today, 20th December, with a voucher. Someone who called himself the manager told us Groupon shouldn’t have issued it, and made it feel as though the problem was our fault. He admitted they wouldn’t normally serve what we’d been given, yet still told us to take it up with Groupon. I pointed out that they, not Groupon, had served the food, and left.

I chose this place for its location, but I might not stay again. The room stayed chilly, and only in the morning did I realise the window wouldn’t shut properly, letting cold air in. Even with the heating turned all the way up, it wasn’t warm. The shower water also never got warm enough for a comfortable shower, even at full heat. I stayed Saturday 7 Feb and checked in early to meet friends. Service at the bar took a very long time. Check-in was brief: I was shown the room door and handed a key. When I returned, the front door was closed and the bar revellers had gone.